Teatime With Nabbles

[There is an excited frenzy to the contents of this missive, as if it
has been penned in haste out of sheer delight at sharing its contents.
The otherwise immaculate penmanship of its author suffers greatly for
this.]

Avaris,

Indeed, much change has occurred within the Basin of Life. Some
sorrowful, some joyful. Such is the way of things, I feel. The Lady
bears it all in silence, as is Her way.

I believe you may be tired as well, friend, even if not so tired as our
little dove. Would you wish to share tea with me sometime? If you
provide the beverages, I am happy to provide the location.

Your friend,
Nabithia

PS: I have heard some rumors regarding a task you may or may not require
my counseling for? Most curious. Consider my nosiness on alert.

Princess Nabithia tells you, "Meet me within the Temple, where I always am!"

Within a celadon-tiled workshop.
Simplistic yet beautiful, this sparsely-decorated workshop is outfitted with everything needed to
make tiles and pottery, as well as other handicraft designs. Graceful arches patterned with celadon-
green tiles form small alcoves from which an artisan can work, each outfitted with a table, clay,
tools, and myriad glazes. A kiln on the southern wall allows pieces to be fired, the nearby shelving
of rough wood filled with pots and tiles, with a heavy set of thongs hung on a peg to retrieve
molds. Upon the northern wall, fabrics and spools of thread lay waiting beside a tailoring workshop
perfect for cobbling, haberdashery, and sewing, with a comfortable bench seated beside it.
Beautiful, shimmering drapes of starlit silk drape across the wall in empyreal array. Wispy silks
drape about Princess Nabithia as she stands here, a haughty look in her compound eyes. You notice a
variety of WARES for sale here.
You see a single exit leading northeast.

Princess Nabithia lets out a pleasant hum at your arrival, bowing with a flutter of silks.

Buzzing with amusement, Princess Nabithia says, "You are prompt."

Striding in with an unhurried, dignified gait, Avaris's eyes are already shining
with pleased motes of light as he returns the bow. "Far be it for me to keep a Princess waiting.
That would hardly be knightly of me, now, would it?"

Clicking her mandibles in assent, Princess Nabithia says, "Indeed, indeed. Avaris, what think you of
the drapes within this charming workshop?"

Princess Nabithia inclines her head politely to shimmering, starlit drapes.

Beautifully woven as if from starlight itself, these shimmering drapes evoke all the beauty of the
night sky. Fine-spun threads of empyreal blue and argent white glitter against the heavy fabric like
minute stars wreathed in mist, twinkling with a sidereal radiance. Adorning the backdrop of the
workshop, these elegant drapes appear to be drawn back invitingly, welcoming those who wish to push
them aside.
It weighs about 5 pounds.
It has the following aliases: curtains, drapes.

Rising from his bow with an amused humming of sound, Avaris dutifully turns his
attention to the drapes, placing his hands behind his back as he makes a great show of studying
them. Once he has allowed a significant span of time to pass, in which all of the myriad eyes of in
his possession travel over every inch of the shimmering drapes at a crawl, he remarks, a thrumming
of fond teasing in his voices, "They are much like yourself, Nabithia. Resplendent in their beauty,
shining with elegance, and terribly pleasing to the eyes."

Seeming quietly pleased at the answer, Princess Nabithia brushes them aside with a push of her hand
and says, "Then let us push them aside and see where they might lead, hmm?"

Inclining his head in acquiescence, Avaris steps up to the drapes, while
maintaining a respectful distance from the Princess.

As your fingertips brush against the shimmering, starlit drapes, you notice a hidden door behind
them, and push it open.
You step through shimmering, starlit drapes in a swish of empyreal silks, vanishing from view.
A private salon bedecked in starlit silk.
This modest chamber is elegantly adorned in a stunning array of starlit silks, which drape across
the room's columns with a sidereal radiance. A secluded place designed for intimate conversation,
fine wooden armchairs curiously cushioned with sage-green moss have been arrayed for entertaining
around a pretty tea table. Here, a well-tended vase bearing a beautiful star lotus flourishes with
great care and attention, its petals a dewy white. Other finer items have been strewn about this
abode, such as bookshelves filled with foreign works, a tall vanity mirror, and a much-abused desk
covered in ink and misty stationery. Beside it stands an easel bearing a canvas that depicts a
beautiful woman in white, lost in thought, while other more whimsical sketches of cats, mastiffs,
and doves litter the floor -- the only careless aspect of this otherwise immaculate place.
You see a single exit leading out.

Princess Nabithia hums a happy tune.

Princess Nabithia says, "What think you of my humble abode?"

Affording the secluded chamber a degree of attention that is keen with open
curiosity, Avaris's antennae flicker in rapid motions as the many light-forged eyes upon his wings
roam about, absorbing every minute detail. Withdrawing his upper pair of hands from beneath the
folded span of his wings, he brings the chitinous plates of his palms together in a series of short,
enthusiastic claps, nodding appreciatively. The resonance of his layered voice is enthusiastic and
earnest as he says, "Oh, this is wonderful, Nabithia! It is a lovely place, and so very fitting for
you."

Positively vibrating with excitement and enthusiasm, Princess Nabithia exclaims, "It is indeed! The
Lady has given me my own space to decorate as I please." Then glancing askance at the various
sketches on the floor, which she kicks aside, she adds, "I have taken some liberties, I think."

Lowering his great head in a pleased nod, Avaris says, "As you very much deserve. I
am so very glad for you, my friend." A sharp, metallic clicking emanates from beneath the visor
covering his mouth as Princess Nabithia shoves the sketches aside, before the huge kephera crouches
down and begins to gather them up with care. Placing them atop the awaiting platter of his lower,
conjoined palms, he chides, "Do not treat your fine works so, Nabithia."

Letting out a low hiss of an exhale that might be taken for a pout, Princess Nabithia buzzes, "Finer
works? Pah. I suppose only you would think so." Nonetheless, she doesn't seem displeased at the
notion.

In an easy fashion, Avaris replies, "And is my opinion so very unimportant to you?"
Rising, he places the sketches upon the worn desk, neatly stacking them together. With a last, fond
pat upon the topmost page, he turns back to Princess Nabithia, azure eyes glittering with fondness.
"It is good to see you so happy, my friend, and so excited."

You think to yourself: A constant, steady hum of sincere pleasure for her, a warm joy and
satisfaction that she has somewhere safe, somewhere private, to call her own.

Her antennae crowning pleasantly upon her head, Princess Nabithia emits a single chirping sound to
designate her pleasure at the compliment as she seats herself upon a moss-cushioned chair and
gestures for you to do the same. "Now! I have provided the location. Have you brought the tea as
promised?"

With a slightly amused buzz, Princess Nabithia says, "The wood of the chairs is stronger than it
appears. I considered your size."

Lifting a massive hand to one side of the lotus that adorns his breast, Avaris
feigns great offense as he exclaims, "Such doubt! You do not trust me even to remember tea." With a
heavy, long-suffering sigh, and a slow shake of his wedge-shaped head, the paladin withdraws two
cups and a small flash from somewhere beneath his wings. He places the daintier of the vessels
delicately before Princess Nabithia, then sets the sturdy cup before his own seat. Unscrewing the
flask, he pours a generous helping of luminous, sidereal liquid into each container, replying, "You
are very good to me. Thank you for thinking of me, Nabithia."

Sitting himself upon the mossy cushion of his seat, Avaris holds the cup with the
air of one wary of accidentally crushing it, and offers Princess Nabithia a pleased look, antennae
undulating languidly. "This is nice."

Taking a celadon koi pond tea cup gently in her hands, examining its artistry most fondly, Princess
Nabithia takes a gentle sip as her antennae squirm with delight. "You can tell a great deal about a
person, so I am told by Hallifaxian authors, by what tea they select," she hums.

Raising a finger as if to make a point, Princess Nabithia continues, "White tea is most soothing to
the palate, and suggests a trainquil and calm mind." She eyes you warily, as if suddenly doubting
the wisdom she had up until now merely trusted as true.

Waiting for Princess Nabithia to take the first drink with polite patience, Avaris
raises his own cup to the solid plates of his face, which part just enough for him to tip his tea
into with exacting precision. Lowering the metallic vessel, he turns his face down to study it
curiously for a time, as if contemplating this new information. Emitting a low, dubious sound, he
remarks, "Perhaps that is not quite correct, in my instance."

Hesitantly, Avaris ventures, "I chose it because it reminded me of the Lady.
I...Think that counts?"

Princess Nabithia takes another sip of the tea, considering this new information as she does so. Her
antennae quirk slightly, compound eyes aglitter with amusement, before she puts down the cup and
says, simply, "I think She would like this one. A rare feat, indeed."

Swirling the sparkling contents of his cup about in slow, thoughtful motions,
Avaris lifts a massive, spiked shoulder in a slight shrug. "I am not so sure. I offered some to Her
Fulcrux, some years back, but I do not know if She sampled it." Lifting his face to look at Princess
Nabithia curiously, he asks, "What teas do you like?"

At the mention of offerings at the Lady's Fulcrux, Princess Nabithia offers a benign sort of shrug,
her silks shimmering as she says, "I wonder if the Lady gets distracted, sometimes, what with all
the things thrown into her luminous pool. She can be a bit absentminded when She is focused on other
things. I do not think Her much of a multitasker, truth be told." However, at the mention of tea,
she immediately replies, "Green tea, I think. It is delightful."

You think to yourself: The fact of her preferred tea is meticulously filed away, along with all the
other pieces of knowledge relevant to Nabithia, within a fastidiously arranged repository of
information.

Humming pleasantly, Princess Nabithia says, "Some call green tea the tea of motion. It energizes
oneself."

The sharp point of Avaris's chin drifts down in a small nod, the massive kephera
evidently untroubled by the notion of Her indifference. "Green tea. Do you have a particular
favourite variety? I do not know much about tea, truth be told, so I am like to just take whatever
first comes to hand."

Eyes glittering with amusement, you say, "Then you must drink a great deal of it, Princess."

Childishly, Princess Nabithia sticks her tongue out at you.

Taking another sip, her compound eyes appearing to soften as the tea takes its intented calming
effect, Princess Nabithia says, "Mm. I do not. Perhaps I have yet to become particular enough about
tea to have favorites." She tilts her head at you, then asks, "Is it that all tea is the same to
you, or that you do not drink it often?"

Bouncing the blade of his clawed index fingers against the rim of his cup in sharp,
springing motions which emit metallic peals of sound, Avaris hums thoughtfully as he considers the
question. "The latter, I think. I have long been accustomed to drinking solely fresh water, I
suppose. It is not something I have ever given great thought. Eating and drinking for pleasure is
not something I am oft given to."

Gesturing to Princess Nabithia with a small, circular motion of his free hand,
Avaris asks, "What of you?"

"Hmmm," Princess Nabithia buzzes softly, considering. "I like food and drink for the company it
brings. I do not mind eating alone, but it is far preferable to have good company, and good stories
to come with it." She rests her chin on her hand, her arm resting on the table in an appalling
breach of etiquette, as she asks, "What stories have you heard as of late?"

The larger of Avaris's left antennae quirks down at the offending arm, but he
otherwise makes no sign of noticing, or caring. "This does not surprise me. You are a sweetly social
creature, I think." A faintly wicked, mischievous gleam shines in his eyes as he adds, "Gossip." To
the question, he offers a brief, shivering note, turning the cup around in his hand slowly. "I am
not so great at collecting stories as you are, my friend. You are aware of the recent, major events,
no doubt. I have spent some time in the company of our little starling, as well as the wife of a
friend...And I received a visit from our mutual, softly spoken friend in white." Lifting a single
shoulder in a shrug, he says, "Then there is the matter of your counsel, but you seem somewhat aware
of that as it is."

Antennae quirking in the manner of one lifting his brows, Avaris prompts, "I am
sure you have heard some stories of interest, yes?"

With a single hand upturned, Princess Nabithia echoes, "Gossip?" in a mildly offended tone, that
simultaneously conveys no offense whatsoever. Then as the conversation shifts, her antennae perk up
with interest, as if unable to decide which nugget of information to further tease out. "You are
making friends, then? I wonder at what sort of beings would tolerate your company. And no, I did not
know our friend in white had been given to wandering again."

Waving a hand, Princess Nabithia says, "My stories can wait. Yours are already tantalizing enough."

In answer to the matter of what creatures might endure his company, Avaris turns
his wrist so that he splays a fan of gleaming, wickedly sharp chitin at Princess Nabithia in a
demonstrative fashion, antennae quirked. "It seems I am fortunate enough to draw the attention of
Celest's most lovely women, somehow. Misericorde, Lady Carakhan's Avatar, and her delightful wife,
Niralahi." Considering Princess Nabithia for a moment, his regard speculative, he opines, "You would
get along famously with her, I believe. Much sass and charm."

Dipping his head aside in a tiny gesture, Avaris says, off-handedly, "Indeed. She
seemed in much better fettle, this time. She played a game of pebbles with me, even."

"The Lady Carakhan seems to choose Her Avatars most cautiously," Princess Nabithia says with deep
thought, humming with approval. "That is well." Then, to the latter comment, her antennae -- if it
is at all possible -- further become erect with focus, repeating, to some bafflement, "Pebbles?"

The manner in which Avaris raises the cup to his mouth to sip, and the subsequently
neutral tone that shivers forth from him, is decidedly that of a man being entirely careful in his
response. Electing, it seems, to steer away from that topic, he dips his head in a casual manner.
"Oh, yes. She is surpassingly fond of them, apparently." Eyes sparkling, as if in amusement at some
private joke, he continues, "Collects them. Very particular in the individuals that she hoards,
while allowing others to fall to the wayside."

Tapping her hand against the table, for once at a lack for words, Princess Nabithia says, "In all my
time serving Her, I have never seen Her so much as glance at a pebble. Peculiar. What do you think
is the significance of it?" As the second statement is received, she then asks, "Hoards? Is there a
collection somewhere we are unaware of?" There is a daring gleam in her compound eyes, as if she is
itching for an illicit heist to track them on.

Leaning casually back against the solid wood of his seat, Avaris regards Princess
Nabithia with eyes that are almost entirely subsumed by scintillating motes of secret, delighted
mischief. His tone, though, is one of serious consideration, as he replies, "She did say that She
has not played the game in many years." Glancing about the room, as if to check for eavesdroppers,
he leans in and murmurs, conspiratorially, "Oh, I think She has a very fine collection, indeed. A
few that She could do away with, I think, but I have seen the crowning jewel of Her collection, and
it is a most wondrously beautiful pebble, indeed."

Casually sipping on her tea as she listens, her compound eyes glittering with slow understanding,
Princess Nabithia remarks, "Ah. Which pebbles do you think have lost their lustre?"

The amused glimmer of Avaris's sevenfold gaze fades, like a sea under a sinking
sun, until each of the orbs is comprised solely of a solid, sober cobalt. Bluntly, he says, "All of
them." A pause, and then inclining his head graciously to Princess Nabithia, amends, "Present,
flawlessly fabulous pebbles excluded, of course."

"That is a terrible thing to hear of one's treasured collection," Princess Nabithia remarks mildly,
sipping again on the white tea as the tranquil aroma wafts through the little parlor. "Fortunately,
pebbles are known to change if put in the right environment."

Passing his upper left hand aside in a gleaming arc of adamant chitin, Avaris's
mien is unperturbed as he responds, "It is well that I am not speaking to the one that treasures
said collection so, then." In response to the second statement, the huge kephera's throat vibrates
with a low, shuddering buzz of doubt. "Such as beneath the blow of a hammer, yes. It will take
sandpaper, to clean them of their patina of grotesque dirt, so ingrained is it by idleness."

A shiver running down her spine as if getting the kephera's version of goosebumps, Princess Nabithia
exclaims, "Ooh, you have quite the passionate opinions today, friend. Are we sure we did not
accidentally sip upon oolong tea?"

Studying Princess Nabithia for a long moment with no small degree of benign
amusement, Avaris flicks his fingers in a rippling, dismissive motion of glinting, cruel chitin. "I
always have passionate opinions, darling Nabithia. I am typically too polite to voice them, or in
the wrong company to do so." The bend of his antennae turns quizzical, as he asks, "Does oolong tea
make one...Passionate?"

With a cool nod, Princess Nabithia says, "Oh yes. Terribly so. You should try it sometime!"

Gradually tilting the wedge of his head aside as he looks at Princess Nabithia,
Avaris says, dryly, "Ah, yes. Because the thing that I require most is more passion."

With a chittering laugh, Princess Nabithia comments, "You are, indeed, the very shade of golden
Devotion." As her laughter fades, she fixes you with an appraising eye, then says, "I did have one
question I wished to ask you, and a particular story I wanted to know." She points at the crimson
star lotus you wear, and asks simply, "How did you get this?"

In an instinctive motion, Avaris's free hand draws back to form a cage of claws
about the crimson star lotus, the gesture protective, and more than a tinge possessive. "Ah. The
Lady gave it to me." Turning his visored face down towards the sanguine bloom, he lowers his hand
from the flower, moving as if to draws the edge of his fingers along the velvet petals. "She is
endlessly indulgent of my requests. It is...Special."

Princess Nabithia leans back in her moss-cushioned seat, her expression thought as she nods,
awaiting further explanation.

Tracing the tip of his forefinger in a gradual circle about the star lotus, the
contact emitting a faint, continuous ringing, Avaris's voice grows softer, suffused with a gentle
warmth and ineffable affection as he says, "It is...Connected, to Her. She has given me the very
great gift of allowing me to share in Her burdens, if only very slightly. I can feel Her pain, Her
sorrow, the exhaustion that weighs on Her."

Her antennae curling slightly as she listens and nods, Princess Nabithia says, "Those all sound like
heavy burdens indeed." She hesitates, then asks, with some trepidation, "Does She not share any
positive emotions with you, then? It is merely pain?"

Antennae flicking upright in surprise, Avaris lifts his face to regard Princess
Nabithia, the curving, immobile planes shining faintly in the light. Faintly puzzled, he asks, "Why
would She share positive emotions with me? Those are not burdens. There is no reason for me to be
privy to such."

Princess Nabithia opens her mouth then closes it, shaking her head. "I suppose," she replies,
somewhat dubiously, as she sips her tea. "Are you happy, then? To witness Her burdens so
intimately?"

The broad curves of Avaris's deep crimson antennae curve down in a faint frown.
"No. I take no pleasure in Her burdens, shared with me or not. I would rather that we never share
anything at all, if that would mean that She would have nothing weighing Her heart." The shimmering
fluff of his mane stirs as he lifts his left shoulder in a tiny shrug. "It is a start. I hope, in
time, that She will trust me with more of Her burdens, until I can shoulder all that She will give
to me."

Appraising the kephera thoughtfully, Princess Nabithia takes into account your bulk and frame, then
says, "Well, I suppose you are built to carry such a heavy load." She clicks her mandibles softly.
"Even so, even the Lady's fonts are designed to be brief and fleeting in their inflictions of pain.
This seems a constant, for you."

The curve of Avaris's antennae grows gradually steeper still, as he considers
Princess Nabithia's words, mulling them over as he plays idly with the largely untouched cup of tea
in his grasp. "Mm. Her happiness is my happiness. I do not mind if She does not share it with me, so
long as She is happy. I will be content to be an ox, if so." A glowing eye follows the Princess's
regard to the easel, where it lingers for a time. "Perhaps. I am...Nabithia, I am much less
confident in my ability to be trusted with that. I fear I would ruin it."

Princess Nabithia steeples her hands beneath her chin, a single antennae quirking as she simply
asks, "Why?"

An abrupt, disbelieving laugh buzzes forth from Avaris as if startled into life.
"Why? Nabithia, have you met me? I am awful with the delicate, precious things of people's hearts.
Try as I might, I ever end up wounding them." With complete sincerity, he says, "I would sooner
choose to die than to hurt Her, in any way. And yet I have done so, time and again."

Waving her hand in an airy gesture, Princess Nabithia says, "Ah, I do not know. She is hardy enough
to take it, I think. Surely the Goddess has weathered far worse, even in this past year alone." She
then lifts a celadon koi pond tea cup, commenting, "And yet you seem to enjoy finer, more delicate
things, no? Like this. I do not think you as clumsy and prone to breaking things as you seem to
believe yourself."

Lifting his own dense, steel cup to display it to Princess Nabithia, Avaris taps
the sharp tip of his forefinger against it, his tone wry, "I have taken some precautions." Lowering
the vessel so that it rests upon the table, he shrugs, sobering. "You are very kind to think so, my
friend. You do not see the amount of people I hurt, so I feel that you have something of an
idealised view of me." Waving the matter of himself away, almost irritably, he says, "She has
suffered enough. I do not wish to add to that. She has endured much doubt, and malicious whispering
of Her intentions, this year, yes." The hardy steel of his cup begins to emit a gradually mounting,
metallic noise of protest as his hand grips it tighter, a light shade of faintest red stealing into
the markings of his wings, even as a subtle note of dread menace suffuses his voice. "Even from
those who should know better."

"Mm," Princess Nabithia agrees quietly, looking into her tea cup in thoughtful silence. "I think She
expects oathbreakers, in truth," the kephera says at length. "She holds such importance on vows, and
Her own word is as Her own unyielding bond in all things, but She has seen so many treat words like
they are nothing. Her Fonts are evidence enough of that." She looks up at you, thinking, before she
says, "But that makes, I think, the conviction of those who serve Her well all the more important.
For it is what She most treasures and values, is it not? In Her Devotion."

Rhapsodic hymns emanate from within the depths of the chamber, fervent with devotion.

Avaris is quiet for a long span of time, in which he regards the now cooled,
sparkling tea, his demeanour troubled. Eventually, a slow, heartfelt sigh hisses through the
invisible seams of his faceplate as he lifts a hand to smooth out his larger, right-side antennae in
a distracted fashion. "I just do not understand why. She is so...So ~good~, and deserving of those
bonds being honoured above all." Shaking his head in a gesture of faint disgust, he lowers his hand
to the table, placing the flat of his palm upon the surface, and studying the golden, chitinous back
of his long hand. "I do not know, truly. I know it makes me a very poor follower, but I do not
understand why those that are closest to Her are so."

Her voice light, even as the words are themselves somber with judgment, Princess Nabithia says, "The
Basin of Life appears fickle indeed, if a few choice emotional outbursts are enough to sway their
eyes from the truth of our Lady's good deeds."

The sharp point of Avaris's chin rises and falls in slow, steady bobbing motions
that brush the shimmering tips of his mane. "Sadly so. I am, unfortunately, not terribly surprised.
I hope only that it does not hurt Her much, if She expects it from we mortals. She deserves so, so
very much better."

"I believe our Lady has built, over the years, a very fortified wall to protect Herself from such,"
Princess Nabithia says in answer, though the observation is not an admiring one, or even a sorrowful
one. It is indeed a statement, made bereft of judgment -- an acknowledgement that this is so. "But I
believe before then, yes, it likely bothered Her a great deal. The memory where..." She pauses, her
compound eyes dulling, before saying, "When the Elders thought Her compromised. I often think that
is the memory that pains Her most of all."

Her empty palm upturned, Princess Nabithia says, "If She has weathered that, then the bickering of
mortals must be as nothing to Her."

There is a brief, truncated shriek of tortured metal as Avaris's fingers clench
upon the cup, distorting the unfortunate vessel even as he emits a clicking sound of chagrin,
antennae bending in a kepheran grimace. Setting it gingerly down upon the tabletop, where he watches
to see that it does not wobble over and spill, he replies, "I am...Passingly familiar with Her
walls, yes. Still. We are Hers. She should feel safe in the knowledge that we all view Her as above
reproach, and trust in Her implicitly." Gesturing at the ruined cup with a vague wave of one hand,
he comments, "She lowered Her walls with me, I think, once."

A watery spray of starlight twinkles dreamily across the alabaster pillars.

Looking at you with a curious glint in her compound eyes, Princess Nabithia leans slightly forward
in her chair, lowering her cup as she does so. "Did She?" she asks, enraptured. "How curious. Why do
you think She was so compelled to?"

Breath hissing out in a brief burst of forcefully exhaled air, Avaris's shoulder
slacken somewhat, regret weighing down the myriad voices that comprise his own. "I made the mistake
of unwittingly entrapping Her with a promise. I fear I did not give Her much of a choice, with Her
nature how it is. I feel much guilt for it, for I was unkind to Her. You say that I am unlikely to
hurt Her, but I have seen that I am capable of it, to my shame."

"You make your motives seem quite malicious, but I somehow doubt it to be so," Princess Nabithia
says, regarding the vexation in your words. "That said, a promise alone is not a reason for the Lady
to lower Her walls. If anything, it seems a reason to lift them higher."

Princess Nabithia says, "What in the promise do you think lent itself to such a sundering?"

The fingers of Avaris's hand upon the table rise and fall in a staccato rhythm as
he stares at it, stirring as his broad chest emanates a brief, sour vibration. "Oh, I have the
noblest of intentions, but that does not seem to matter. The result is often the same." The heavy
feathers of his folded wings rustle as he shrugs. "She promised not to disappear, as She so often
does, when we tread close to uncomfortable topics. She is very given to indulging me, as She is with
all of Hers. She tries to help us be happy, I think, and it is troubling to Her that my happiness
appears to be tied with matters that She is discomfited by."

A watery spray of starlight twinkles dreamily across the alabaster pillars.

"Do you think that entangling is an accident?" Princess Nabithia asks, the query earnest in its
buzzing vibration.

The smaller of Avaris's leftmost antennae twitches towards Princess Nabithia,
quizzical as he asks, "What do you mean?"

Princess Nabithia says, "That your happiness seems to rely on topics that Lady Herself is unwilling
or uncomfortable discussing."

Frowning down at his hand, Avaris stares at it for a long, silent moment, turning
the question over in an almost severe manner. "Mm. It is deliberate, in a way, I think. I know that
She cares nothing for Her own happiness, and will ignore Her own wellbeing in favour of that of
others." Turning his hand over in a gradual roll of gleaming gold, he says, "So with my happiness so
obviously tied to Her own, She is forced, by Her desire to see Hers happy and content, to tend to
Her own, in some small ways. It is...A start, and not the most noble of methods, but it is all that
is available to me, at present."

Giving the nuance of the answer the attention it is due, Princess Nabithia nods once, her antennae
resettling about her brow in their regal crown. "It is an inelegant method," she agrees, "but it
seems to be one of the few available to you, as you say." She clicks her mandibles softly. "I
think... our Lady feels very deeply, but expresses very little of that depth of feeling. I can
imagine it would take great reluctance to do so, after so many years of..." She gestures around, as
if indicating walls of mist in the air.

A tad impishly, Princess Nabithia says, "My method is to coax it out of Her with laughter,
generally."

Chin drifting down in a slow nod, the fluff about Avaris's throat shivers with a
low pulse of resonating sound. "She does," he confirms, gesturing to the crimson lotus chained atop
his heart. "I feel but a sliver of what She does, yet it was initially enough to bring me to my
knees." Shifting his head to study the walls, he nods. "She is loathe to do it. Your method, I
think, is better. You make Her want to lower them, whereas I..." With a brief, bitter laugh, he
lifts his upper left hand and forms a fist of brutally gleaming chitin. "I besiege Her like the
world's most vexing fortress. The poor Lady. I am sure She feels some regret at permitting me within
the Order, at times."

Her answer immediate as her shrug dismisses the concern out of hand, Princess Nabithia says, "I do
not think so. Else She would not indulge you as She does. I think you forget the Empyreal has a
temper, too, and holds terrible grudges."

Relaxing his hand so that he wavers it back and forth in a seesawing motion, Avaris
replies, "Not so with those in Her Order, I think. I have yet to hear even a whisper of Her being
upset at any of Hers, let along displaying Her temper, or bearing a grudge."

Her voice now a flat buzz, Princess Nabithia says, "Mm. Maybe the Immaculates hear more."

Princess Nabithia hums innocently to herself.

Chest glinting as he utters a brief laugh, Avaris lowers his head in deference to
Princess Nabithia. "You are very correct. I yield to your superior knowledge, in all ways,
Immaculate."

Princess Nabithia says, "She was most cross regarding the matter of the magnolias. And Ferne."

Princess Nabithia says, "I believe Immaculate Faragan and Immaculate Aeldra were respectively quite
shocked."

Eying Princess Nabithia, somehow, sidelong, despite his lack of pupils, Avaris's
antennae curls archly at this. "Why would they be shocked?"

With the fondness of one who has spent much time with someone particularly difficult, Princess
Nabithia says, "Because She is a most nurturing and patient Goddess, but in the absence of that
fondness... She is quite a cold being, in truth."

Princess Nabithia says, "She does not give affection lightly."

Crossing her arms, Princess Nabithia says, "I actually think She jealously hoards it, while eyeing
others warily as if peeking over Her misty walls with suspicion."

A watery spray of starlight twinkles dreamily across the alabaster pillars.

Still faintly baffled, Avaris turns to stare at Princess Nabithia blankly for a
time, then says, nonplussed, "Well...Yes. That is obvious. If it is so to I, and it has been thus
for some time now, surely it should be blindingly apparent to Her Immaculate." Waving his hand at
Princess Nabithia in a fond manner, the golden kephera shakes his head, amused. "I do not blame Her.
It is natural, to be frugal with such a precious resource, when it is so typically squandered when
handed out. One must be judicious indeed in choosing who to grant it to."

Princess Nabithia looks into a celadon koi pond tea cup thoughtfully, before saying at last, "I am
glad that Immaculate Aeldra did not leave for the Serenwilde. The Lady acted quite aloofly regarding
the matter, but, I think in truth it would have wounded Her deeply to lose someone She had such a
bond with. The Lady does not make bonds lightly, but knows others might. It must have been a relief
to Her to have that moment of doubt pass --- but I suspect that the doubt at all existed led Her to
feel a certain way."

All traces of levity vanishing from him, Avaris's antennae bend inexorably down
into a steep, severe frown, the dense red sharpening into solid blades of sullen crimson. When he
speaks, his voice is quiet, but in the manner of a hand resting silently atop the grip of a blade.
"Yes. That Her Avatar, one that shares a Cult with Her, would know doubt at all was...Illuminating."
The tips of the fingers that yet rest upon the table curl gradually inwards, flexing into a fist
briefly. "I was...Disappointed, to hear Aeldra espouse such a weakness of faith. I wish that I could
have prevented it entirely." Suddenly lifting his head to regard Princess Nabithia intensely, he
asks, earnestly, "Are there none that have been true to Her without fail, save yourself, Nabithia?"

With a soft roll of her shoulders, Princess Nabithia says, "I cannot speak for the minds of others,
Avaris."

Rhapsodic hymns emanate from within the depths of the chamber, fervent with devotion.

Princess Nabithia says, "Doubts are internal. They do not always manifest where they can be seen. It
is actions that define us, in the end, and there are many who serve Her and have overcome obstacles
in the serving."

With a hiss of frustration, Avaris shifts his hands to place all but three upon his
lap - The sole remaining one hovering by the crimson lotus upon his chest. "I do not care that they
have overcome obstacles, if they yet stumble in Her service. They should be a constant source of
reassurance, an endless font of trust, of love, of adoration for Her."

A faint flicker of amusement intermingled with fondness weaving in the buzz of her voice, Princess
Nabithia says, "You expect much from mortals, I see."

Rhapsodic hymns emanate from within the depths of the chamber, fervent with devotion.

The glinting edges of Avaris's flattened antennae shift as they tilt, resembling
crystalline blades of frozen blood. "I expect the very minimum that She deserves. That they
continually fall short is their failing. It is not a difficult thing to accomplish."

Princess Nabithia rises up from her moss-cushioned seat with a brisk nod, arising with a practised
grace as she gathers the cup in her hands. "That is good that you do. She can be exceedingly
patient, perhaps to a fault, at times." She smiles at you and sighs deeply, saying, "We have
gossiped for many days now. It is for the best we keep some stories for another time, I think, lest
we have nothing to write one another about."

Princess Nabithia gives a celadon koi pond tea cup to you.

Princess Nabithia says, "Thank you for sharing this fine tea with me."

Picking up the crumpled ruin of his own cup with a faintly bemused air, Avaris
rises as well, though he fends Princess Nabithia's attempts to return the celadon cup off, stating,
"It is a gift, for your new home. You may conveniently break it, or lose it, if you wish. I will not
mind." Bowing to Princess Nabithia deeply, he says, "Thank you, my friend. I appreciate all that you
entrust me with, and your company, very much."

Princess Nabithia says, "You shall find the exit easy to find, but the entrance I close off
sometimes for privacy."

Humming, Princess Nabithia says, "So you will have to keep me happy to continue enjoying this fine
room."

A soft, gently delighted laugh resonates from Avaris as he replies, "It is
fortunate for me that I ever strive to do so, regardless." Dipping his head to Princess Nabithia
respectfully, he says, "Stay safe and ill-behaved until we next meet, dearest friend. Pass my
regards to young Symone, as well, if you please."

Princess Nabithia says, "Of course. I believe her innocence invites her a different way beyond the
Lady's walls, indeed. I look forward to helping her navigate it."

Princess Nabithia hums a tad cheekily, her antennae squirming with delight.

Nodding in firm approval, Avaris says "I am most pleased to hear it." With complete
sincerity, and no small degree of amusement, he continues, "I could not hope for a better guide for
her. She is very fortunate." So saying, he lifts a hand in farewell, turning to leave. "Stay sassy,
Princess."